CVE-2019-9135 in DaviewIndy
Summary
by MITRE
DaviewIndy 8.98.7 and earlier versions have a Heap-based overflow vulnerability, triggered when the user opens a specific file that is mishandled by Daview.exe. Attackers could exploit this and arbitrary code execution. .
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9135 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in DaviewIndy software version 8.98.7 and earlier, presenting a significant security risk to affected systems. This flaw manifests when the vulnerable application Daview.exe processes specific malicious files, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the application's file processing routines, specifically affecting how the software handles certain file formats that trigger the heap corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability places the software at risk due to improper bounds checking during file parsing operations. When Daview.exe encounters a specially crafted file, the application fails to properly validate the size or structure of incoming data, leading to memory corruption in the heap memory space. This heap-based overflow creates opportunities for attackers to overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing them to redirect program execution flow or inject malicious code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking permits memory writes beyond allocated buffer limits. Such flaws are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to achieve complete system compromise through techniques like return-oriented programming or direct code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to affected systems. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables adversaries to perform actions such as privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or establishing backdoors within the compromised environment. The attack surface is broad since any user who opens a malicious file through Daview.exe becomes a potential victim, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where file sharing occurs frequently. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability fits within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Execution, specifically targeting the 'Command and Scripting Interpreter' and 'Exploitation for Client Execution' techniques. The vulnerability also relates to the 'Persistence' and 'Privilege Escalation' tactics as attackers can establish long-term access to compromised systems through the executed malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-9135 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the heap overflow condition. Organizations must implement strict file validation policies and restrict user access to potentially malicious file types through network filtering and endpoint protection solutions. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting to prevent execution of untrusted file formats through Daview.exe. Additionally, memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce exploit effectiveness. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing heap-based buffer overflows, with developers implementing proper bounds checking and memory management techniques. Organizations should maintain comprehensive incident response plans that include procedures for detecting and remediating exploitation attempts, as well as monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.